Dear Tigers, Parents & Guardians, and Tiger Supporters,
I hope everyone had a relaxing Spring Break. Our school year is ending soon, but good things continue to happen at AHS, and I think the word is getting out. Here are just a few:
- SBA (formerly PARCC) Math and ELA Testing. Why am I calling this a good thing? These tests are still mandatory—participation is a graduation requirement—for every enrolled student in grades 9-11, but we’re going to do things differently this year. Instead of tests being spread over 2 to 2 ½ weeks as in the past, we’re going to knock them out in four days. And we’re not going to have students hang around killing time when they’re not testing. We’re able to do this thanks to our new educational technology (Chromebooks). Last month, we completed 11th grade SBA Science testing in only three days, and we achieved 100% participation.
Although students will be in school only on their testing days, this schedule actually increases instructional time in the classroom contrasted to the old 2 ½ week schedule. When teachers are proctoring tests, they’re not able to be in their classrooms teaching. In the past we had to shuffle substitute teachers from class to class, and very little instruction occurred over that 2 ½ weeks. With the new test schedule, we are able to get back to regular instruction sooner, and we’re able to offer students an incentive for showing up on time and participating in this mandatory testing. Also, teachers will use these afternoons for professional development and planning to make the 2019-2020 school year even better.
Here’s the schedule:
Monday, 22 April: ELA Testing for 9th Grade ONLY. No school for grades 10-12. Students who show up on-time and complete all sections of the test will be dismissed after lunch at 12:55 p.m., buses provided. For students who show up late or who require extra time, buses will also run on the normal afternoon schedule.
Tuesday, 23 April: Math Testing for 9th Grade ONLY. No school for grades 10-12. No school for grades 10-12. Students who show up on-time and complete all sections of the test will be dismissed after lunch at 12:55 p.m., buses provided. For students who show up late or who require extra time, buses will also run on the normal afternoon schedule.
Wednesday, 24 April: ELA Testing for 10th and 11th Grades ONLY. No school for grades 9 and 12. Students who show up on-time and complete all sections of the test will be dismissed after lunch at 12:55 p.m., buses provided. For students who show up late or who require extra time, buses will also run on the normal afternoon schedule.
Thursday, 25 April: Math Testing for 10th and 11th Grades ONLY. No school for grades 9 and 12. Students who show up on-time and complete all sections of the test will be dismissed after lunch at 12:55 p.m., buses provided. For students who show up late or who require extra time, buses will also run on the normal afternoon schedule.
Friday, 26 April: Regular school day for all grades.
Any students who are absent for testing must make up the tests before the test window closes on May 10. Again, participation in these tests is a New Mexico graduation requirement, and federal law requires every school to have at least a 95% participation rate. Please make sure your students show up for these tests.
Some other good things happening at AHS:
- The BIG US flag flies once again in front of our school. A New Mexico flag will join it soon.
- Planning for our cafeteria-to-food-court transformation and campus security improvements are under way. Students returning next school year will see some amazing changes including a food court multiple menu options, new furniture and seating areas, and a coffee bar.
- Due to popular demand, beginning this year, graduating seniors may decorate their mortarboards, with some stipulations (to be announced soon).
This is just a short list of the many good things happening at AHS. Stay tuned for more.
We GET to be AHS Tigers!
Ken Moore, Ed.D.
Principal, Alamogordo High School